The Kyriss Buck takes the top spot in the typical category for PA; will rank 8th all-time in Boone & Crockett
A set of enormous antlers recently discovered in a southeastern Pennsylvania antique shop has a new home, and a new spot in the record book.
The top spot, actually.
Known as the “Kyriss Buck,” named after Frederick Kyriss, who reportedly harvested the buck in the late 1960s or early 1970s in Montgomery County, the trophy officially became the new record in the Typical Firearms category in Pennsylvania. The rack, which has an official score of 202-7/8, is also set to be listed as the 8th largest typical of all-time in the Boone and Crockett record book.
Michigan resident Jay Fish, who is a renowned antler collector and owner of the New Legends Collection, purchased the antlers in 2019 after they were discovered in a Boyertown, Berks County antique shop. According to Fish, an individual bought the antlers at the shop for $40, and later sold the rack for $100. The antlers were sold a third time before Fish became aware of the rack and purchased it for his collection.
After Fish had the rack scored and it was accepted by Boone and Crockett, he knew he had something special. That’s why Fish said he recently sold the rack to Bass Pro Shops to be displayed at their museum in Springfield, Mo.
“I hated to give it up, but this is what’s better for the animal – a way to respect this buck so it can be shared with others,” Fish said. “It’s not every day that you see a top 10 deer, let alone be fortunate enough to own it, but Bass Pro does a lot of good things and it will be in the museum for everyone to enjoy.
“It’s the right thing to do.”
While the rack claimed the top spot in the Pennsylvania record book on March 30, earlier this year there was some uncertainty if the antlers would even be listed. When Fish purchased the rack, he said he was unaware that a permit was needed from the Pennsylvania Game Commission. According to Title 34 of the PA Game and Wildlife Law, a permit needs to be obtained from the PGC before any inedible wildlife parts, such as antlers, can be sold (state-licensed auctioneers are exempt).
Bob D’Angelo, an official Boone and Crockett scorer and coordinator of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Big Game Scoring Program, reached out to Bass Pro Shops to obtain details and issue the permit. D’Angelo confirmed that the rack, which is currently in Missouri, has officially been listed as the new record in the Typical Whitetail Firearms category. He wasn’t sure when, or if, Bass Pro would bring the rack to Pennsylvania.
The previous state record typical buck was taken in Bradford County in 1943 and scored 189-0. The Kyriss Buck is the first typical rack in the state record book to top 200 inches.
“That’s very significant,” D’Angelo said. “In all the years I’ve been doing this, I’ve scored maybe 10 bucks that made the 160 Boone and Crockett minimum score. To have one from Pennsylvania exceed 200, it’s a phenomenal thing.”
The fact that the rack just surfaced decades after Kyriss harvested the buck didn’t surprise D’Angelo. It’s not uncommon for racks that were taken in the 1940s and 1950s to turn up at scoring sessions, he said.
“Back then, getting a rack scored wasn’t a big thing,” D’Angelo said. “Now, it’s much more popular.”
While the Kyriss Buck easily took the top spot in the Pennsylvania book, it figures to have a strong showing with Boone and Crockett as well.
Justin Spring, director of Big Game Records for Boone and Crockett, said the buck’s score was submitted and accepted, and he expects it to rank 8th all-time in the typical category for North America.
Before a rack can make the top 10 in the record book, however, Spring said it has to be verified by a panel of Boone and Crockett judges, which will take place at the 31st Big Game Awards Program in 2022, held at Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Mo.
Still, Spring said Boone and Crockett hasn’t been notified by Bass Pro of any change in ownership.
“According to our records it’s still owned by Jay Fish,” he said. “But if the current accepted entry score is panel verified, it will officially rank 8th all-time.”
Regardless of when the buck finally makes the Boone and Crockett record book, Fish is already searching for the next hidden gem to add to his collection, which he displays at events across the country.
After his experience with the Kyriss Buck, he’ll be keeping a close eye for another hidden gem coming out of Pennsylvania.
“Every state has the potential to produce something big. It all boils down to age and genetics,” Fish said. “I like to find the ones that haven’t been out there, and share the history and story of these special animals.
“It’s my responsibility to present these animals in a respectful, honest way. The Kyriss Buck – that rack deserves to be enjoyed and shared with everybody. Bass Pro can achieve that.”
- Photo courtesy of Jay Fish
The antlers should be displayed in PA. If the deer was harvested PA.